Portable content container displaying A/V files in response to a command received from a consumer device

ABSTRACT

A portable content container is disclosed comprising a decoder for decoding an A/V file into an A/V stream. File directory information identifying one or more A/V files is transmitted to a consumer device. A display command is received from the consumer device to display a selected one of the A/V files on a display device. The selected A/V file is decoded into an A/V stream transmitted to the display device in response to the display command. In an embodiment, the portable content container further comprises local memory for storing A/V files.

BACKGROUND

FIG. 1A shows a prior art portable player 2 that receives audio/video(A/V) files from a consumer device 4 (e.g., STB) under a digital rightsmanagement (DRM) scheme (e.g., Microsoft PlayReady). The portable player2 can then be transported and connected to any display device 6 (FIG.1B) and the A/V files displayed without the display device needing a DRMlicense. This is because the content is streamed from the portableplayer under an un-recordable protocol (e.g., analog or High-DefinitionMultimedia Interface (HDMI)). The portable player 2 renders a graphicaluser interface (GUI) on the display device 6 allowing the user to selectand play an A/V file. The portable player 2 may comprise a control panel8 (e.g., push buttons) for receiving user input, or the portable player2 may comprise an interface (e.g., infrared) for receiving user commandsvia a remote control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A illustrates a prior art system wherein a consumer devicetransfers A/V files to a portable player using a DRM protocol.

FIG. 1B illustrates a prior art portable player that displays a GUI on amonitor for a user to select and play one of the A/V files.

FIG. 2A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein A/Vfiles are transmitted to a portable content container (PCC) using a DRMprotocol.

FIG. 2B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein thePCC transmits file directory information to a consumer device thatdisplays a GUI with a list of the A/V files, and when a user selects oneof the A/V files, the PCC decodes and displays the A/V file.

FIG. 2C illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein anHDMI stream is multiplexed between the consumer device and the PCC.

FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein aconsumer device receives file directory information from a PCC over afirst interface, and receives a selected video stream from the PCC overa second interface using an un-recordable protocol.

FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein aconsumer device receives file directory information from a PCC over theConsumer Electronics Control (CEC) of an HDMI interface.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram according to an embodiment of the presentinvention wherein a consumer device displays an icon in a GUIrepresenting a PCC, and when the user selects the icon, a list of A/Vfiles stored on the PCC is displayed in the GUI.

FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein the PCCcomprises a dock for receiving a removable storage device (e.g., a Flashcard or hard drive).

FIG. 5B shows a storage device plugged into the dock according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein the PCC maybe plugged into (or otherwise communicate with) a kiosk that distributesA/V files to consumers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate a portable content container (PCC) 10, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a decoder fordecoding an audio video (A/V) file into an A/V stream. File directoryinformation identifying one or more A/V files is transmitted to aconsumer device 12 over a first interface 14. The PCC 10 receives adisplay command from the consumer device 12 to display a selected one ofthe A/V files on a display device 16. The selected A/V file is decodedinto an A/V stream transmitted over a second interface 18 to the displaydevice 16 in response to the display command (displayed directly orthrough the consumer device 12, for example).

In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, the PCC 10 receives A/V files from a firstconsumer device 19 using a suitable DRM protocol that licenses the PCC10 to decode the A/V files. The A/V files may be received from the firstconsumer device 19 over the first interface 14, or over a differentinterface. The PCC 10 may receive the A/V files from any suitableconsumer device 19 such as a set-top box (STB) that may receive A/Vfiles over a cable, or a personal computer (PC) that may receive A/Vfiles over the Internet. When a user is at a first location (e.g., athome), the user may select and play the A/V files on a display device 21by controlling the consumer device 19. For example, the display device21 may be a TV monitor connected to a STB, or a monitor of a PC. Theremay be times when the user would like to play the A/V files at a remotelocation, for example, when the user is traveling or when the user wantsto play the A/V files at a friend's house. To enable this portabilitythe user transfers the A/V files to the PCC 10 (e.g., using a DRMprotocol) which is then reconnected to another consumer device 12 at theremote location. The remote consumer device 12 displays a GUI includingthe names of the A/V files stored on the PCC 10. For example, if theremote consumer device 12 is a STB, a list of A/V files stored on thePCC 10 may be displayed in a program guide. When the user selects one ofthe A/V files from the GUI, the remote consumer device 12 commands thePCC 10 to decode and display the selected A/V file on the display device16.

The remote consumer device 12 does not need a DRM license because itdoes not have access to the A/V files stored on the PCC 10 (i.e., theremote consumer device 12 cannot record or otherwise manipulate the A/Vfiles). Consequently, a user can transport and connect the PCC 10 to anycompatible consumer device 12 anywhere in the world and play copyrightedA/V files without the consumer device 12 needing a DRM license. The A/Vfiles remain protected from unauthorized copying by effectivelyshielding the A/V files from the consumer device 12. In addition,controlling the PCC 10 from the remote consumer device 12 simplifiesoperating aspects for the end users, such as using a single remotecontrol to control both devices, as well as using a GUI already familiarto the end users. For example, a user may transport the PCC 10 to aremote STB having a program guide already familiar to the user, andimmediately begin controlling both devices using the remote control ofthe remote STB.

In an example application, the PCC 10 may be considered as an extendedstorage device for a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) integrated within aSTB, except that neither the DVR or STB directly access (or decode) theA/V files stored on the PCC 10. When the STB and/or DVR discovers anexternal PCC 10, the names of the A/V files on the PCC 10 are merelyincorporated into the play list of the DVR GUI such as, for example, aDVR's “recorded programs” or “MyDVR” list. When an end user selects anA/V file stored on the external PCC 10, the STB/DVR commands the PCC 10to decode and play the selected A/V file on the display device 16.

A remote consumer device 12 may receive the file directory informationfrom the PCC 10 using any suitable communication protocol. In oneembodiment, the PCC 10 may comprise a suitable file system typicallyemployed in a computer operating system, such as Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Linux, UNIX, or the like. The remote consumer device 12 maycommunicate with the PCC 10 using a conventional disk drivecommunication protocol (e.g., the ATA protocol) in order to read filedirectory information (e.g., a File Allocation Table (FAT)). In oneembodiment, the PCC 10 ignores or otherwise disables access to the A/Vfiles themselves by intercepting and ignoring ATA commands intended toaccess the A/V files.

In one embodiment, the PCC 10 may comprise a local memory in the form ofa non-volatile storage device (e.g., a disk drive or solid state drive,combinations of the same, and the like) for storing the A/V files. Inorder to protect against an end user removing the storage device andconnecting it to an unauthorized host (e.g., a personal computer), thePCC 10 may store the A/V files in an encrypted form using a secret key(e.g., using a key embedded in an integrated circuit of the PCC 10). Anysuitable cryptographic key and encryption algorithm may be employed inthe embodiments of the present invention, such as using a uniqueidentifier such as a serial number of the PCC 10 to generate a suitablemessage authentication code (MAC). In this manner, if the storage deviceis removed from the PCC 10, or if the A/V files are otherwise extractedillegally from the PCC 10, the A/V files will remain inaccessible to anunauthorized host.

In one embodiment, the PCC 10 transmits the decoded A/V stream to thedisplay device 16 over an interface comprising an “un-recordable”protocol, such as the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). AnHDMI interface implements an “un-recordable” protocol by enforcingmanufacturing standards that ensure consumer devices are HDMI compliant.A consumer device is considered HDMI compliant (and allowed to use theHDMI trademark) only if it is manufactured in a manner that ensures theA/V stream transmitted over the HDMI interface cannot be recorded.Accordingly, there are no (compliant) consumer devices on the marketwith an HDMI input that are capable of recording the A/V stream receivedover the HDMI input. Examples of HDMI compliant consumer devices aredisplay devices (e.g., TV monitors) that typically have a number of HDMIinputs.

FIG. 2B shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein the PCC 10transmits the file directory information for the A/V files over a firstinterface 14 (e.g., a peripheral interface such as the Universal SerialBus (USB)), and transmits the decoded A/V stream over a second interface18 (e.g., HDMI) to the display device 16. The first interface 14 mayimplement any suitable protocol, and may be a wired interface or awireless interface (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, or WiMAX). For example, auser may connect the PCC 10 to the remote consumer device 12 through thefirst interface 14 (wired or wirelessly), and then connect the PCC 10 tothe display device 16 through the second interface 18 (e.g., using anHDMI cable). The remote consumer device 12 may be plugged into a firstinput port of the display device 16 (e.g., a first HDMI input), and thePCC 10 may be plugged into a second input port of the display device 16(e.g., a second HDMI input). In one embodiment, the display device 16 iscontrolled by the user (e.g., using a remote control or push buttons ofa control panel) to select which input is displayed on the screen. Forexample, the user may first select the first input port so that the GUIof the consumer device 12 is displayed on the screen. When the userselects one of the A/V files to play from the PCC 10, a message isdisplayed in the GUI to change the input of the display device 16 to thePCC 10 input. In an alternative embodiment, when a command to display anA/V file is received, the consumer device 12 may command the displaydevice 16 to change its input to the PCC 10. For example, a user mayprogram the consumer device 12 with the input port that the PCC 10 isusing so that the consumer device 12 can command the display device 16to switch to the appropriate input. Any suitable technique may beemployed to change the input, wherein in one embodiment the remoteconsumer device 12 sends a command similar to using an “input” button ona remote control or control panel of the display device 16.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated inFIG. 2C wherein the second interface 18 for streaming the A/V files tothe display device 16 from the PCC 10 (e.g., HDMI interface) is routedthrough the remote consumer device 12. This embodiment enables theremote consumer device 12 to select between its own output or the outputof the PCC 10 to be displayed on the display device 16. When a userselects an A/V file to play from the PCC 10, the remote consumer device12 automatically switches to the output of the PCC 10, in an embodiment,rather than, for example, having the user perform the switching.

Further details of this embodiment are illustrated in FIG. 3A whereinthe PCC 10 comprises control circuitry 20 including a local memory 25for storing an operating system, file directory information, and the A/Vfiles. Any suitable local memory 25 may be employed in the embodimentsof the present invention, such as a disk drive comprising a magneticdisk, or a solid state drive comprising semiconductor memories (e.g.,Flash). Other embodiments may employ a hybrid disk drive—incorporatingboth magnetic disk and solid state memory—that, in an embodiment,employs semiconductor memory (e.g., Flash) for caching the A/V files toensure adequate performance.

The file directory information stored in the local memory 25 is providedto the remote consumer device 12 over the first interface 14, and adecoder 22 decodes the A/V files stored in the local memory 25 fortransmission over the second interface 18. The remote consumer device 12comprises a user input interface 23, such as, for example, a remotecontrol infrared or radio frequency receiver or push buttons or asmartphone communicating (wired or wirelessly) with the consumer device12 over a local area network or over a wide area network (e.g., theInternet). The remote consumer device 12 further comprises controlcircuitry 26 for running an operating system that interfaces with thePCC 10 over the first interface 14 and for controlling the operation ofthe remote consumer device 12. The remote consumer device 12 furthercomprises a decoder 28 for decoding A/V files stored locally as well asfor generating the GUI. A switching circuit 30 (e.g., a multiplexer) isconfigured by the remote consumer device 12 to select between it's ownoutput and the A/V stream output by the PCC 10 for display on thedisplay device 16. In this embodiment, the control circuitry 26 of theremote consumer device 12 does not have access to the A/V files storedon the PCC 10, that is, cannot read or access the A/V files over eitherthe first interface 14 or the second interface 18. Accordingly, theremote consumer device 12 does not need a DRM license to access the A/Vfiles but instead merely commands the PCC 10 to stream a user selectedA/V file to the display device 16.

FIG. 3B illustrates an embodiment of the present invention wherein thefirst interface 14 and second interface 18 of FIG. 2B are integratedinto a common interface 32, such as, for example an HDMI interface. Inthis embodiment, the first interface 14 for transmitting the filedirectory information comprises the Consumer Electronics Control (CEC)32A of the common interface 32. The CEC bus is a one-wire “party line”that connects up to ten devices through, for example, standard HDMIcabling. The CEC protocol includes automatic mechanisms for physicaladdress (topology) discovery, (product type based) logical addressing,arbitration, retransmission, broadcasting, and routing control. In oneembodiment, the control circuitry 26 of the remote consumer device 12has access only to the CEC bus and not to the interface lines 32B thatcarry the A/V stream. This embodiment enables the remote consumer device12 to control the PCC 10 over a standard HDMI interface, therebyavoiding the additional expense of a separate peripheral interface tocommunicate with the PCC 10.

The second interface 18 for transmitting the A/V files may be a wired orwireless interface. For example, in one embodiment the second interface18 may comprise a wireless HDMI interface which is currently underdevelopment. Similar to a wired HDMI interface, the wireless HDMIinterface is implemented in a manner that ensures the A/V stream isun-recordable by the remote consumer device 12. For example, the remoteconsumer device 12 may be manufactured without a suitable HDMI decoderfor decoding an HDMI signal (A/V signal) regardless as to whether theHDMI interface is implemented wired or wirelessly.

In an example application where the first and second interfaces comprisea wireless interface, the PCC may be implemented as a small batterypowered device (e.g., in a cell phone) that an end user may store in ashirt pocket, briefcase, handbag, etc. While traveling on a plane, theend user may be working on a laptop computer wherein an iconrepresenting the PCC is automatically displayed on the desktop. The enduser may access the PCC using a file manger similar to accessing aninternal disk drive (or solid state drive), wherein a list of the A/Vfiles may be displayed in a folder. The end user may select one of theA/V files to play on the monitor of the laptop computer, except that thePCC performs the decoding and streaming of the A/V file to the monitor.The operating system of the laptop computer would not have access to theA/V files recorded on the PCC under the protocol for implementing theun-recordable stream (e.g., HDMI stream).

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram according to an embodiment of the presentinvention wherein the top portion is executed by the remote consumerdevice 12 and the bottom portion is executed by the PCC 10. The remoteconsumer device may periodically search for attached PCCs (block 34), orthe remote consumer device may be notified when a PCC is present. When aPCC is discovered (block 36), an icon is displayed in the GUI of theremote consumer device representing the PCC (block 38). The remoteconsumer device reads the file directory information from the PCC (block40), and when the end user selects the PCC from the GUI (block 42), alist of file names representing the A/V files on the PCC are displayedin the GUI (block 44). When the end user selects one of the A/V files onthe PCC (block 46), the remote consumer device transmits a command tothe PCC to begin decoding the selected A/V file into an A/V streamtransmitted to the display (block 48), and the remote consumer deviceautomatically configures a switch so that the output of the PCC isdisplayed on the display device (block 50). In another embodiment, thecontents of the PCC may be read as an extension of the remote consumerdevice's file directory and shown to a user seamlessly as if thecontents were recorded programs on the remote consumer device itself.

While the PCC is decoding and playing the A/V file (block 52), theremote consumer device may receive a user command related to the contentbeing displayed (block 54). For example, the end user may generate acommand to perform a trick-play function (e.g., pause, fast-forward,rewind, etc.) wherein this user command is transmitted to the PCC overthe first interface (block 56). The PCC responds to the user command bymodifying the decoding process to execute the desired trick-play feature(block 58).

In one embodiment, the end user may command the remote consumer deviceto stop playing an A/V file from the PCC (e.g., by pressing a “stop”button or a “program guide” button on a remote control). In response,the remote consumer device may command the PCC to stop playing thecurrent A/V file and switch the input of the display device to theoutput of the remote consumer device so that the GUI can be displayed.

To enhance portability, the PCC 10 may comprise a chargeable battery asa power source when connected to the remote consumer device 12.Alternatively, the PCC 10 may derive power from the remote consumerdevice 12 or display device 16 over a power sourcing interface (e.g.,the USB interface). Accordingly, in this embodiment the PCC 10 need notbe plugged into an outlet for power, thereby further enhancing theportability of the PCC 10.

In one embodiment, the PCC 10 may allow access to public A/V filesand/or other user files so that the PCC 10 may be used as a conventionalexternal storage device (e.g., for a desktop or laptop computer). Anysuitable technique may be employed to access unprotected and protectedfiles from the local memory 25 of the PCC. In one embodiment, theprotected A/V files may be transferred to the PCC 10 using a dedicatedcommunication protocol so that the A/V files are stored in a protectedmanner. For example, in one embodiment the control circuitry 20 of thePCC 10 may create a first partition in the local memory 25 for storingunprotected files and a second partition for storing protected A/Vfiles. The second, protected partition may be accessed using a passwordor key so as to prevent unauthorized access. In another embodiment, eachprotected A/V file may be encoded using an encryption key so that theprotected A/V files may be stored anywhere within the local memory 25.

FIGS. 5A and 5B show an embodiment of the present invention wherein thePCC 10 comprises a dock 60 comprising the control circuitry 20 forinterfacing with the remote consumer device 12 and decoder 22 fordecoding the A/V files for display on the display device 16. The dock 60further comprises an interface 62 for receiving a removable storagedevice 25 (e.g., a disk drive, a solid state drive, combinations of thesame, or the like) that is plugged into the interface 62 as shown inFIG. 5B. The dock 60 may also comprise a suitable encryption key forbinding the protected A/V files to the dock 10 (rather than to theremovable storage device 25). This embodiment enables an end user topurchase the PCC 10 in the form of a dock 62 only, and then plug-in anyconventional storage device 25, such as for example a My Passport™ driveavailable from Western Digital Technologies, Inc., the assignee of thepresent invention. This embodiment may also enable unlimited storagespace via a collection of removable storage devices 25 any one of whichmay be plugged into the dock 60.

FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of the present invention wherein the PCC 10may be plugged into (or otherwise communicate with) a kiosk 64 forpurchasing A/V files. In one embodiment, the PCC 10 communicates withthe kiosk 64 using a wired protocol (e.g., USB, Firewire, etc.) whichenables fast downloads as compared to the Internet. The kiosks 64 may belocated at many different convenient locations, such as inside grocerystores, banks, malls, etc. A user inserts (or connects) his or her PCC10 to the kiosk 64 and selects an A/V file from a menu 66 (e.g., a touchscreen showing a plurality of icons representing the A/V files). In oneembodiment, the end user may swipe a credit card along a card reader 68in order to purchase their selection. In an alternative embodiment,credit card information or user account information may be stored on thePCC 10 and read automatically by the kiosk 64. In the latter embodiment,the end user may enter a user name and password into the kiosk 64 toenable the kiosk 64 to access the credit card information and/or theuser's account.

In one embodiment, the end user may rent an A/V file from the kiosk 64on a daily basis (e.g., a predetermined dollar amount per day), or on asubscription basis (e.g, allowed to keep a predetermined number of A/Vfiles for a monthly fee). The end user may “return” a rented A/V file inany suitable manner. In one embodiment, the end user may plug the PCC 10into the same or another kiosk 64, wherein the kiosk 64 may then eraseor otherwise disable the A/V file recorded on the PCC 10. In analternative embodiment, the PCC 10 may communicate with a central serverthat maintains rental information for multiple kiosks and PCCs. Forexample, in one embodiment an end user may connect (wired or wirelessly)their PCC 10 to a computer or other consumer device that is connected tothe Internet. The end user may log into the central server and then“return” a rented A/V file by having the central sever erase orotherwise disable the A/V file recorded on the PCC 10. In yet anotherembodiment, the end user may “return” an A/V file by deleting orotherwise disabling the A/V file from the PCC 10 themselves, or the PCC10 may automatically delete or otherwise disable the A/V file afterbeing viewed a predetermined number of times, or after a predeterminedinterval.

Although the foregoing has been described in terms of certainembodiments, other embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinaryskill in the art from the disclosure herein. The described embodimentshave been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limitthe scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methods and systemsdescribed herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms withoutdeparting from the spirit thereof. Thus, the invention is not limited byany preferred embodiments, but is defined by reference to the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A portable content container comprising: adecoder operable to decode an audio/video (A/V) file into an A/V stream;a first interface operable to transmit the A/V stream to a displaydevice; a second interface operable to communicate with a consumerdevice; and control circuitry operable to: transmit file directoryinformation identifying one or more A/V files to the consumer deviceover the second interface; receive a display command over the secondinterface from the consumer device to display a selected one of the A/Vfiles on the display device; and decode the selected A/V file into anA/V stream and transmit the A/V stream over the first interface to thedisplay device in response to the display command, wherein the consumerdevice is operable to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) inresponse to the file directory information and transmit the GUI to thedisplay device.
 2. The portable content container as recited in claim 1,wherein the first interface comprises an un-recordable protocol.
 3. Theportable content container as recited in claim 2, wherein the firstinterface comprises a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI). 4.The portable content container as recited in claim 3, wherein the secondinterface comprises a Consumer Electronics Control (CEC) of the HDMI. 5.The portable content container as recited in claim 2, wherein the secondinterface comprises a peripheral interface.
 6. The portable contentcontainer as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first andsecond interfaces comprises a wireless interface.
 7. The portablecontent container as recited in claim 1, wherein the control circuitryis further operable to: receive a playback-related command over thesecond interface from the consumer device; and execute theplayback-related command by modifying the transmission of the A/V streamto the display device.
 8. The portable content container as recited inclaim 1, further comprising a third interface operable to receive aremovable storage device comprising the selected A/V file.
 9. Theportable content container as recited in claim 1, wherein the controlcircuitry is further operable to receive an A/V file from a kiosk. 10.The portable content container as recited in claim 1, further comprisinga local memory operable to store the one or more audio/video (A/V)files.
 11. A consumer device comprising: a first interface operable tocouple to a display device; a second interface operable to couple to aportable content container (PCC), the portable content containercomprising: a local memory operable to store audio/video (A/V) files;and a decoder operable to decode one or more of the A/V files into anA/V stream; and the consumer device further comprising control circuitryoperable to: receive file directory information identifying the A/Vfiles from the PCC over the second interface; generate a graphical userinterface (GUI) in response to the file directory information; transmitthe GUI over the first interface to the display device; receive a playcommand from a user to play a selected file; and transmit the playcommand over the second interface to the PCC to decode and display theselected A/V file on the display device, the play command causing an A/Vstream associated with the selected A/V file to be transmitted from thePCC to the display device, the A/V stream bypassing the consumer device.12. The consumer device as recited in claim 11, further comprising aswitch for selecting between the first interface and an output of thePCC for communicating with the display device.
 13. The consumer deviceas recited in claim 12, wherein the control circuitry is furtheroperable to: configure the switch to display the GUI over the firstinterface; and configure the switch to display the output of the PCCafter transmitting the play command to the PCC.
 14. The consumer deviceas recited in claim 11, wherein the first interface comprises anun-recordable protocol.
 15. The consumer device as recited in claim 14,wherein the first interface comprises a High-Definition MultimediaInterface (HDMI).
 16. The consumer device as recited in claim 15,wherein the second interface comprises a Consumer Electronics Control(CEC) of the HDMI.
 17. The consumer device as recited in claim 14,wherein the second interface comprises a peripheral interface.
 18. Theconsumer device as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of thefirst and second interfaces comprises a wireless interface.
 19. Theconsumer device as recited in claim 11, wherein the control circuitry isfurther operable to: receive a playback related command from the user;and transmit the playback related command to the PCC over the secondinterface.
 20. A consumer device comprising: a first interface coupledto a display device; a second interface coupled to a portable contentcontainer (PCC), the portable content container comprising: a localmemory operable to store audio/video (A/V) files; a decoder operable todecode one or more of the A/V files into an A/V stream; a PCC outputinterface coupled to the display device; and the consumer device furthercomprising control circuitry operable to: receive file directoryinformation identifying the A/V files from the PCC over the secondinterface; generate a graphical user interface (GUI) in response to thefile directory information; transmit the GUI over the first interface tothe display device; receive a play command from a user to play aselected A/V file; and transmit the play command over the secondinterface to the PCC to decode and display the selected A/V file on thedisplay device, wherein an A/V stream associated with the selected A/Vfile is transmitted from the PCC directly to the display device via thePCC output interface.
 21. A method of operating a portable contentcontainer, the method comprising: transmitting file directoryinformation identifying one or more audio/video (A/V) files to aconsumer device; receiving a display command from the consumer device todisplay a selected one of the A/V files on the display device; anddecoding the selected A/V file into an A/V stream and transmitting theA/V stream to a display device in response to the display command, theA/V stream bypassing the consumer device, wherein the consumer device isoperable to generate a graphical user interface (GUI) in response to thefile directory information and transmit the GUI to the display device.22. A method of operating a consumer device comprising a first interfacecoupled to a display device and a second interface coupled to a portablecontent container (PCC), the portable content container comprising alocal memory storing audio/video (A/V) files, and a decoder for decodingone or more of the A/V files into an A/V stream, the method comprising:receiving file directory information identifying the A/V files from thePCC over the second interface; generating a graphical user interface(GUI) in response to the file directory information; transmitting theGUI over the first interface to the display device; receiving a playcommand from a user to play a selected A/V file; and transmitting theplay command over the second interface to the PCC to decode and displaythe selected A/V file on the display device, the play command causing anA/V stream associated with the selected A/V file to be transmitted fromthe PCC to the display device, the A/V stream bypassing the consumerdevice.